I felt more horrible at 7am when I called in sick than I had in several days. My throat was a brillow pad, and my voice was that of a frog. "Hi," I stammered. "This is _______ _______, and I have to take a sick day."
I apparently wasn't the first to call, and she sighed and said, "Well, you're not goign to have a sub."
She waited for my reply, but I didn't give one.
"But if you're sick, you're sick."
I said "yes," and that was that.
Then I get a text from a colleague at 8:30: "We have 3 people out and you don't have a sub!"
I wonder if the kids do have a sub by now. I feel a little bad, but I take sick days very sparingly - I've never gone over three in a school year, and that was the year I had my two major surgeries (planned at break times, to minimize the days out). And I really am sick, although getting up and moving around a bit after sleeping in has made it feel a lot better. I'll rest more this evening, and make it in tomorrow.
Saving Typeface
-
At a recent typography conference, participants raised concerns about the
future of their field. Some pre-conference thoughts: “The future of type is
the s...
15 minutes ago
9 comments:
I hate when they try and make you feel guilty with the no sub crap. Obviously you were really sick, and they should have more subs available-it's cold & flu season.
When I taught in a private school for a year, they made us call our own subs before we called out. That was fun-calling people at home in the early am when you are sick. Oy.
Isn't it terrible how they try to make you reconsider by guilting you into coming in??? Ridiculous. I'm glad you stayed home- feel better!
I called in sick today myself... You can't help but feel guilty, especially when you know that you're not just playing hooky.
There is no substitute for a good teacher.
At your school, it sounds like there's no substitute for any teachers.
What a great help your colleague is. What's the thought process: "Hey, my co-worker is ill. Maybe a text message from me explaining how deplorable the situation is without him here will speed his recovery and make him miraculously show up and save the day." I say save your 10 cents, buddy.
I wonder, what happens when a (fill in the blank with any other profession that requires a college diploma) calls in sick for work, and is really sick? Is there still a guilt trip?
Sick days - use them or lose them. Unless you plan on working 30 years for that system - which is highly unlikely - you can't cash them in when you leave and you can't take them with you. I say use them, and if the administration can't handle their job and get an adult in the classroom, then they should put the kids in the auditorium or any other available space and watch them themselves. What a concept - administrators interacting with the students.
I think it is prudent for any teacher to think long and hard before calling in sick. This is especially true for teachers within the Baltimore City School System. The children need you - sick or not; your administration needs you - sick or not; your colleagues need you - sick or not.
Seriously, I have suggested at several team meetings that what we need is not more planning time (teachers can get by with 2 45 minute planning periods per week. That is ample time) but less sick days. There is too much wasted payroll dollars that spent here that can be used toward the children.
e.e. You're a little craz e.e. I think. People who work in the schools need sick days. If they just sat and did paperwork maybe they could manage it while sick. But you can't teach sick when you can't talk and can't stand up. Besides that, the germs and illnesses that spread thru the schools would be much less if everyone, teachers and kids both, stayed home to get better.
EE Lawson: If you think that 2 planning periods a week is sufficient, or that teachers should come into school and spread germs when they are ill, then I doubt you're a very good teacher.
Your suggestion at team meetings make it sound like you're a joy to be around, too. Woah.
And, you know, I even agree with you that some teachers take way too much sick time. I don't think it should be cut down, though; if I break my leg and have to miss a week or so, I don't think I should be docked. But I've gone seven years and have used only ten sick days - total - so, don't worry, I do think long and hard before I use them.
- EIB
I'm sorry. Here is what I mean:
At my school, an elementary/middle school that shall not be named, there are plenty of teachers who abuse the sick policies of our BCPSS. This is a problem. On Monday's and Friday's it's a sure thing that some will be out.
Regarding planning time, I continually see new teachers constantly sitting at their desks surfing the web while they should be planning. None of them stay after school nor rarely do they come in early. (I for one am hopeful - if not excited - about the possibility of extended work time that can force the hand of these new teachers). I would also like to see IEP meeting be scheduled for after school hours, thus giving the teacher more instruction time.
Let me suggest a pattern that we Americans could follow, a pattern proven by European schools. Just as doctor offices have sick/well entrances, I suggest that schools do the same. There could easily be several quarantined classes to provide instruction for the sick while also reaching our objectives as a school system. Do-able? I think so.
Thank you for clarification.
I guess I don't see the abuse of sick days as a huge problem where I am. There are a few, certainly, but it's the exception, not the rule. It could be where I am.
I would not, at all, have a problem with requiring a doctor's note for any after, say, two days. Sick days should be used sparingly. I can't quite get my head around teaching in a sick room, though. The nuts and bolts of that seem unbearable.
As someone who regularly works twelve-hour days, though, I definitely would like more planning and grading time.
Post a Comment